''What!?'' A man listening to the conversation screams in anger.

''Imprisoning an Elder?'' Growls the commander, his strong voice causing all the nearby recruits to stop their evening training.

''My friend here carried me to safety, but I saw the once-knight Aryel and Augustine in possible peril as we left.'' Your fingertips keep tingling, so you rub your sweaty hands together, but the feeling doesn't go away. ''And I think quite a few Mamonos in the village witnessed this...''

''Hrm!'' The big man suddenly turns to look at his compatriot a few feet away. ''Round up the lads here, we'll put the entire monster district on lockdown until his Lordship comes to sort out the mess! You!'' He points at a random young man. ''Inform our baron! His rams are gonna make a few pigs squeal!''

His big hands clapping together sound like tumbling rocks.

''Go! Go! Time to show a bunch of rapists they don't get to spit on the sacred friendships and sacrifices of our ancestors! We'll be pulling double shift and stay up all night, so go take a shit now!''

All one fifty young men start running around in a sudden frenzy of activity that intimidates you. The older members of the militia start herding this burst of activity; halberds are hefted, men rush for their uniforms, and a strange dread you can't explain causes endless chills in your spine.

It's like a prelude to war, but that's not at all what's happening.

''I-I'll be going now. If you or any of your men see Lady Augustine, please tell her that her friend will wait for her near the church.''

The big man nods and, after looking at Shigeko for an uncomfortably long while, he waves at your duo as you walk into the courtyard to retrace your steps toward the exit.

''I think he wanted to offer you to stay here, your home is more than adequate security.'' Shigeko comments after you exit the gate.

''Yeah... Violence against elves is always a messy thing because it happens so rarely.'' You gently pat your back where the weight of your bag isn't there.

''...!'' Your throat constricts, air cannot enter your lungs. I gave my bag to Augustine before following that creepy Jules!

''Shii! My bag, Usha! We have to-''

''I have it.'' Your beautiful blue protector pulls your bag off her shoulder and hands it to you. ''I asked Augustine to give it to me, made me feel less nervous.''

''Gods above, thank you.'' If you were tall enough to reach her cheek, you'd have kissed her. Inside is your money, your flute, and Usha's protective casing that, thankfully, shows no signs of activity.

Little one is a hard sleeper.

--

The light of sundown has nearly completely diminished under the horizon, and you and Shigeko will be walking back home in complete darkness once Augustine meets back with you. Mother Earth's golden shield will be all the illumination your group needs to avoid losing its way.